Thursday, April 18, 2013

VIDEO: “Outside” Doc about LGBT Homelessness

Courtesy Human
Rights Campaign“Outside,” a powerful independent documentary now available on KUED.org, seeks to
understand LGBT homeless youth, who make up 40 percent of the homeless
population.

The film, which Natalie Avery independently produced and directed, follows
four gay homeless youth over the course of four years as they navigate daily
life on the street.

“Outside,” which won Regional Emmy for Best Documentary in the topical
category in 2009, explores the reasons why LGBT youth have a higher risk of
homelessness, the role society may play in placing them at risk and how LGBT
youth may endanger themselves.

At HRC, we believe that we have a responsibility to ensure the safety and
well-being of LGBT youth.

As we uncovered in our groundbreaking study in 2012 of LGBT youth, the deck
is stacked against young people growing up LGBT in America. With an increase in
public awareness about anti-LGBT bullying and harassment and the strikingly
high number of LGBT youth who are homeless, in foster care or living in
high-risk situations, it is critical that we better understand the experiences,
needs, and concerns of all LGBT youth.

In June, HRC President Chad Griffin and civil rights leader Dr. Julian Bond
visited a youth homeless drop-in shelter for young men and women here in Salt
Lake City. Though we have made tremdendous strides on the path to equality, we
must do more to help LGBT youth who continue to struggle to live openly and
safely.